Further study details as provided by University of California, San Francisco:

Primary Outcome Measures:

To determine if the addition of disulfiram to a stable antiretroviral regimen for two weeks results in decline in the size of the HIV-1 reservoir, as defined by the frequency of resting CD4+ T cells harboring replication competent HIV-1. [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To determine if the addition of disulfiram to a stable antiretroviral regimen for two weeks is associated with an immediate or transient increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. [ Time Frame: Two weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Real time viral load will be measured weekly during the treatment phase.

To determine if the addition of disulfiram to a stable antiretroviral regimen for two weeks is safe and well tolerated. [ Time Frame: Two weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

To determine if the addition of disulfiram to a stable antiretroviral regimen for two weeks results in an increase in the frequency of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood. [ Time Frame: 24 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This study is using a new approach to try and force HIV out of its protected cellular reservoirs.

Although current therapies are effective at "killing" new viruses that are produced, they are unable to access the virus in cells which were infected before antiretroviral therapy began. HIV can remain "hidden" in a latent (or resting) form in these cells for many years. Since these infected cells can live for many years, they are thought to be the most important barrier to HIV eradication (or "cure").

Many experts believe that one way to attack latent or "hidden" HIV is to use a drug than can "turn on" the virus and hence force HIV-1 out of resting T cells. In a recent study done in the laboratory, disulfiram proved to be among the most effective drugs currently available that can reactivate latent HIV-1,

Our primary hypothesis is that disulfiram will reduce the latent reservoir of HIV-1 in patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Theoretically, disulfiram will force HIV to replicate (grow) and thus result in the death of the infected cell. Standard antiretroviral drugs should prevent new cells from becoming infected. The end result of this process is that the total amount of HIV in the body will decline over time.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Documented continuous HAART for at least 18 months prior to study entry and on a stable regimen for at least 3 months prior to entry.

Concurrent treatment with immunomodulatory drugs, or exposure to any immunomodulatory drug in past 16 weeks.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01286259